Can you help us by making face coverings?

18 June 2020

Thank you to everyone who has made and sent in a face covering so far.

We still need face coverings to give to parents, children and young people while they are with us. If you are visiting Sheffield Children’s, please remember that this is now mandatory.

Different visitors need different sizes of masks, so if you can get involved, please follow this guide:

Small – 9.5 x 6.5cm

Medium – 12.5 x 8.5cm

Large – 17.5 x 9.5cm

We are especially short on small and medium size masks.

Instructions on how to make them are below
All materials must be able to be washed at 65 degrees
Do not, make, send or deliver masks if you have COVID-19 symptoms
Please send coverings in before Friday 3 July

These coverings do not replace the PPE being used by staff in clinical areas. They are simply a way to slow the spread of COVID-19 by people who don’t know they are infected.

Thank you for your support!

Please send completed masks to:

Supplies Department
Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Clarkson Street

S10 2TQ

Making a sewn cloth face covering

Guidance from gov.uk

You will need:

two 25cm x 25cm squares of cotton fabric
two 20cm pieces of elastic (or string or cloth strips)
needle and thread
scissors

Items you need for a sewn face covering — Items you need for a sewn cloth face covering

Step 1: Cut out two 25cm x 25cm squares of cotton fabric. Stack the 2 squares on top of each other.

Step 2: Fold over one side by 0.75cm and hem, then repeat on the opposite side. Make 2 channels by folding the double layer of fabric over 1.5cm along each side and stitching this down.

Step 3: Run a 20cm length of elastic (or string or cloth strip) through the wider hem on each side of the face covering. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle to thread it through. Tie the ends tightly.

Threading the ear loops and sewing into place

If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the covering behind your head.

Step 4: Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the covering on the elastic and adjust so the covering fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping. These elastic loops fit over the ears.

Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.

This information is a guide to making a simple face covering. We do not endorse any particular method and other instructions are widely available online. Always take care to use equipment safely to avoid injury. Children should only follow these instructions under the supervision of adults.